The main aim of the presented study was to check the level of perceived dimensions of work according to Peter Warr's model of wellbeing at work (referred to as the Vitamin Model). The main aim was to ...verify: a) the non-linear dependency of well-being and the first group of "vitamins" of the model; and b) the linear dependency for the second group of dimensions of work.
The article presents the results of research conducted in a Polish automotive production company. The
was used to diagnose the dimensions of work. Well-being was measured using the
. The analyzes were carried out on a group of 197 people who took part in the research and represented various departments of the organization.
The obtained results allow a partial confirmation of the non-linear relationship within the dimensions of the first group (for 3 out of 6 characteristics) and a full confirmation of the linear relationship for all dimensions from the second group.
The recommendations arising from the research are universal in character and can be used by managers of various organizations. The results clearly demonstrate the need for reflection, and evidence-based and data driven changes in human resources management, and the creation of positive environment of work. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2022;35(2):187-98.
H Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) relaxometry was exploited to investigate the dynamics of solid proteins. The relaxation experiments were performed at 37 °C over a broad frequency range, from ...approximately 10 kHz to 40 MHz. Two relaxation contributions to the overall
H spin-lattice relaxation were revealed; they were associated with
H-
H and
H-
N magnetic dipole-dipole interactions, respectively. The
H-
H relaxation contribution was interpreted in terms of three dynamical processes occurring on timescales of 10
s, 10
s, and 10
s, respectively. The
H-
N relaxation contribution shows quadrupole relaxation enhancement effects. A thorough analysis of the data was performed revealing similarities in the protein dynamics, despite their different structures. Among several parameters characterizing the protein dynamics and structure (e.g., electric field gradient tensor at the position of
N nuclei), the orientation of the
H-
N dipole-dipole axis, with respect to the principal axis system of the electric field gradient, was determined, showing that, for lysozyme, it was considerably different than for the other proteins. Moreover, the validity range of a closed form expression describing the
H-
N relaxation contribution was determined by a comparison with a general approach based on the stochastic Liouville equation.
The aim of the study was to determine the serum levels of CRP, IL-6 and TNF-α in elderly diabetic patients with depressive syndrome alone or with coexisting mild cognitive impairment (MCI).
276 ...diabetics elders were screened for depressive symptoms (using Geriatric Depression Scale: GDS-30) and MCI (using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment: MoCA score). Data of HbA1c, blood lipids and inflammatory markers levels were collected.
In all groups of patients levels of CRP, IL-6 and TNF-α were significantly higher as compared to controls. The highest level of inflammatory markers was detected in group with depressive mood and coexisting MCI, however IL-6 level didn't significantly differ as compared to MCI group. We founded correlations between all inflammatory markers in group of patients with depressive mood and in group of subjects with depressive symptoms and coexisting MCI. GDS-30 score was correlated with levels of inflammatory markers in group with depressive mood, and with levels of CRP and TNF-α in group with depressive mood and coexisting MCI. In the group with depressive mood and coexisting MCI we founded that MoCA score was negatively correlated with CRP and TNF-α levels; and HbA1c level was positively correlated with all inflammatory markers. The univariate logistic regression models revealed that variables which increased the likelihood of having been diagnosed with MCI in depressed patients were: higher levels of HbA1c, CRP, IL-6 and TNF-α, previous CVD or stroke, increased number of co-morbidities and microvascular complications, older age, less years of formal education. The multivariable model showed that previous CVD, higher HbA1c and IL-6 levels are significant factors.
We demonstrated that the presence of depressive syndrome is associated with higher levels of inflammatory markers in elderly patients with diabetes. The presence of MCI in these depressed subjects has additive effect on levels of inflammatory mediators.
Metabolic stress, such as lipotoxicity, affects the DNA methylation profile in pancreatic β-cells and thus contributes to β-cell failure and the progression of type 2 diabetes (T2D). Stearoyl-CoA ...desaturase 1 (SCD1) is a rate-limiting enzyme that is involved in monounsaturated fatty acid synthesis, which protects pancreatic β-cells against lipotoxicity. The present study found that SCD1 is also required for the establishment and maintenance of DNA methylation patterns in β-cells. We showed that SCD1 inhibition/deficiency caused DNA hypomethylation and changed the methyl group distribution within chromosomes in β-cells. Lower levels of DNA methylation in SCD1-deficient β-cells were followed by lower levels of DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1). We also found that the downregulation of SCD1 in pancreatic β-cells led to the activation of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and an increase in the activity of the NAD-dependent deacetylase sirtuin-1 (SIRT1). Furthermore, the physical association between DNMT1 and SIRT1 stimulated the deacetylation of DNMT1 under conditions of SCD1 inhibition/downregulation, suggesting a mechanism by which SCD1 exerts control over DNMT1. We also found that SCD1-deficient β-cells that were treated with compound c, an inhibitor of AMPK, were characterized by higher levels of both global DNA methylation and DNMT1 protein expression compared with untreated cells. Therefore, we found that activation of the AMPK/SIRT1 signaling pathway mediates the effect of SCD1 inhibition/deficiency on DNA methylation status in pancreatic β-cells. Altogether, these findings suggest that SCD1 is a gatekeeper that protects β-cells against the lipid-derived loss of DNA methylation and provide mechanistic insights into the mechanism by which SCD1 regulates DNA methylation patterns in β-cells and T2D-relevant tissues.
Introduction
Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a metabolic disease characterized by insulin deficiency and subsequent hyperglycemia. Cardiovascular diseases are the prime cause of mortality and morbidity ...among patients with T1D. Accumulating metabolic disturbances and accelerated cardiac fibrosis fuel the development of heart dysfunction. As insulin resistance (IR) is a risk factor for the development and worsened course of heart failure, this study aimed to assess its impact on heart function in patients with T1D.
Methods
Adult participants were recruited prospectively. The inclusion criteria included a diagnosis of T1D. The exclusion criteria were other types of diabetes, symptoms/treatment of heart failure, AST and/or ALT exceeding the upper reference limit by ≥2x, hepatitis, alcoholism, metformin treatment, and pregnancy. The participants underwent a medical interview, physical examination, biochemical test, and echocardiography.
Results
The mean age in the study group was 38 ± 9.6 years, and the mean diabetes duration was 21.8 ± 11.3 years. The median BMI in the study cohort was 23.39 kg/m
2
. Patients with IR had significantly lower mitral E/A ratio and left ventricular and left atrial volume ratio (LVLAVR), higher LV mass index, and presented with altered mitral annular velocities.
Conclusions
IR seems to accelerate the pattern of typical changes in heart function among patients with T1D, especially in the overweight subgroup.
Abstract
The integrity of the chromatin structure is essential to every process occurring within eukaryotic nuclei. However, there are no reliable tools to decipher the molecular composition of ...metaphase chromosomes. Here, we have applied infrared nanospectroscopy (AFM-IR) to demonstrate molecular difference between eu- and heterochromatin and generate infrared maps of single metaphase chromosomes revealing detailed information on their molecular composition, with nanometric lateral spatial resolution. AFM-IR coupled with principal component analysis has confirmed that chromosome areas containing euchromatin and heterochromatin are distinguishable based on differences in the degree of methylation. AFM-IR distribution of eu- and heterochromatin was compared to standard fluorescent staining. We demonstrate the ability of our methodology to locate spatially the presence of anticancer drug sites in metaphase chromosomes and cellular nuclei. We show that the anticancer 'rule breaker' platinum compound PtN(p-HC6F4)CH22py2 preferentially binds to heterochromatin, forming localized discrete foci due to condensation of DNA interacting with the drug. Given the importance of DNA methylation in the development of nearly all types of cancer, there is potential for infrared nanospectroscopy to be used to detect gene expression/suppression sites in the whole genome and to become an early screening tool for malignancy.
High-quality nursery stock ensures the dynamic development of orchard crops. The most desirable by orchardists is a tree with a strongly developed crown, which makes it possible to shorten the ...investment period of newly planted orchards. The quality of the perianth and the degree of its branching depend on the growth strength of the rootstock, the ability of a given variety to form lateral shoots, the type and effectiveness of the treatments used to stimulate branching, soil and climatic conditions related to the location of the nursery and the course of the weather during the period of initiation and growth of young shoots. The study was conducted in 2017–2019 at a private nursery farm near Lublin. The aim of the experiment was to study the effect of mixtures based on the compounds benzyladenine (BA) and gibberellins (GA3) and (GA4+7) for chemical stimulation of lateral shoot outgrowth in apple cv. ‘Alwa’ and ‘Najdared’. In the course of the research, significant effects of the type of growth regulations used and the variety on the height of the perianths, the number and length of lateral shoots and the degree of branching were demonstrated.
In echocardiography, peak strain dispersion (PSD) is the standard deviation of the time to peak longitudinal strain for each left ventricular (LV) segment during systole. It assesses the coordination ...and synchrony of LV segment contractility. Global work efficiency (GWE) and global wasted work (GWW) quantify LV myocardial work and, if impaired, the coupling between LV systolic contraction and early relaxation. Isovolumetric relaxation (IVRT) measures the duration of initial LV relaxation, while the ratio of early diastolic recoil to systolic excursion (E′VTI/S′VTI) describes systolic–diastolic coupling. We evaluated these parameters in 69 healthy subjects and found that PSD correlated negatively with GWE (r = −0.49, p < 0.0001) and E′VTI/S′VTI (r = −0.44, p = 0.0002), but positively with GWW (r = 0.4, p = 0.0007) and IVRT (r = 0.53, p < 0.0001). GWE correlated negatively with GWW (r = −0.94, p < 0.0001) and IVRT (r = −0.30, p = 0.0127), but positively with E′VTI/S′VTI (r = 0.3, p = 0.0132). In addition, E′VTI/S′VTI was negatively correlated with GWW (r = −0.35, p = 0.0032) and IVRT (r = −0.36, p = 0.0024). These associations remained significant after adjustment for sex, age and LV mass index of the subjects. In conclusion, there is an interaction between measures of LV asynchrony, myocardial work, diastolic function and its systolic–diastolic coupling in middle-aged healthy subjects. The clinical value of these interactions requires further investigation.
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•An approach to make PMMA composite filaments reinforced with CNT fibres is proposed.•PMMA infiltration is examined by AFM-IR spectroscopy and nanoscale chemical imaging.•Tensile ...strength and modulus increased in 5 and 4 times for PMMA-infused CNT fibres.
High performance carbon nanotube fibres and yarns with similar strength to Kevlar could now offer significant structural reinforcement and multifunctionality to 3D printed parts. However, recently printed parts which were reinforced with highly-densified CNT yarns exhibited only modest mechanical properties due to poor wettability with polymers. In this work, PMMA is proposed for infiltration of CNT fibres produced via Floating Catalyst CVD, as the polymer may be printed at a lower temperature and is industrially used in resilient fibre-reinforced thermoplastic prepregs and laminates. Nanoscale chemical imaging by AFM combined infrared spectroscopy revealed good infiltration while the PMMA/CNT fibre composite filaments exhibited pronounced increase in tensile strength and Young’s modulus.
Lightweight nanocomposites reinforced with carbon nanotube (CNT) assemblies raise the prospects for a range of high-tech engineering applications. However, a correlation between their heterogeneous ...chemical structure and spatial organization of nanotubes should be clearly understood to maximize their performance. Here, we implement the advanced imaging capabilities of atomic force microscopy combined with near-field infrared spectroscopy (AFM-IR) to analyze the intricate chemical structure of CNT fiber-reinforced thermoset nanocomposites. As an example, we unravel the chemical composition of a nanothin polymer interphase exclusively from CNT assemblies and visualize in a two- and three-dimensional format with resolution of sub-30 nm. We furthermore introduce a contact frequency map colocalized with CNTs and surrounding polymer, which might correlate the local mechanical properties with polymer chemistry and the high anisotropy of CNTs. Nanoresolved chemical imaging offers possibilities for in-depth characterization of next-generation composite materials and devices based on CNT assemblies interacting with a certain chemical environment.
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